Some of the best moments from MTV’s annual Video Music Awards show have had queer undertones, even if they weren’t always involving queer people. Already known for its ability to set the cultural conversation for months to come — or years, even, if you consider the fact that we’re still talking about Kanye West vs. Taylor Swift to this day — some of its most headline-worthy moments have also doubled as landmarks for how we we view queerness in the mainstream media. The three-way kiss between the Holy Trinity of Pop that was Britney Spears, Madonna, and Christina Aguilera in 2003 was many a young person’s queer awakening. Lady Gaga’s adoption of the Jo Calderone alter-ego in 2011? Yes, that was a drag performance.

But as openly queer musicians have actually started to gain momentum amongst the same audience that makes award shows like the VMAs possible, it’s only right that we finally start getting the chance to make these moments of our own. While some of the most visible, openly queer artists did not attend tonight’s festivities (no appearances from Troye Sivan, Olly Alexander, Miley Cyrus, or MNEK), the ones that did made sure to give their fans more than enough to be excited about.

These are the queerest moments from the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards.

TheRed CarpetIcons

Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for MTV

As always, the red carpet of an award show is a place for everyone to feel fabulous, even if only for a few minutes. But for queer people, this opportunity is of even bigger significance, since fashion is often a form of armor and honor. King Princess and Hayley Kiyoko kept it simple and classic in laid-back looks, but of special note was Bobby Lytes, the openly gay rapper and Love & Hip-Hop: Miami star who has made a career out of being outspoken and honest, no matter the audience. Staying true to the bold style that has gained him attention over the years, Lytes wore a royal blue tracksuit with cutouts that were held together by bungee cords. But the highlight came when he turned around, revealing a worthwhile message to everyone watching: MAKE AMERICA GAY AGAIN.

Amandla Stenberg and King Princess Make Our Hearts Happy

Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for MTV

Award shows are the perfect time to add to any fodder that might be swirling about a relationship between celebrities. And with rising indie musician King Princess pretty much confirming in a recent Billboard profile that she has indeed been dating actor Amandla Stenberg, who came out as gay earlier this year, the VMAs marked the perfect time for the couple to make a grand statement. And because these two are simply cooler than any of the rest of us can ever hope to be, The Hate U Give actor and Make My Bed singer-songwriter didn’t settle for just walking the red carpet hand-in-hand. According to Refinery29, the duo also opted for matching beauty moments, sporting the same bold Pat McGrath eyeshadow for looks that complemented each other while allowing them to still show off their personal styles. Naturally, it worked amazingly on both of them — albeit in different ways — and they clearly loved sharing the understated moment. That’s what I call true love.

Hayley Kiyoko’s Big Night

Hayley Kiyoko, one of this year’s Queeroes, had an incredible night. Before she even had a chance to go inside Radio City Music Hall and take her seat, the singer found out that she had won the VMA for Push Artist of Year, which is the first of its kind. During her acceptance speech, she immediately started to tear up before lifting up her Moonman and proudly declaring to the audience, “This validates any queer woman of color, that you can follow your dreams.” It was the Expectations singer’s first time at the VMAs, and she admitted to being “very nervous,” but when it came time for her to perform on the main stage, she worked her way through a choreography-heavy rendition of her hit single “Curious” like a veteran. Kiyoko finished the night as the runner-up for the prestigious Best New Artist award — beating out stiff competition like Lil Uzi Vert, Chloe X Halle, Bazzi, and Lil Pump.

In April, Panic! At the Disco frontman Brendon Urie officially came out as pansexual in an interview, saying, “I guess you could qualify me as pansexual because I really don’t care...it’s just people that I am attracted to.” Tonight, taking a break from his sold-out stadium tour, Urie and his band took to the VMAs stage to perform their latest Pray for the Wicked single, “High Hopes,” backed by an expansive band complete with cellists and trumpeteers. As usual, the Vegas-based former Kinky Boots star sounded pitch-perfect and looked immaculate. (I need that gold brocade tuxedo in my closet immediately, okay?) Plus, the performance put it an adorable smile on Shawn Mendes’ face. So that’s always a good sign.

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